Maute planning attacks in other areas: Army chief

From Malaya Business Insight (Oct 6): Maute planning attacks in other areas: Army chief

NEW Army chief Maj. Gen. Rolando Bautista yesterday said the Maute Group is planning to “infiltrate” some areas and replicate its attack in Marawi City.

To thwart the plan, martial law declared by President Duterte in the entire Mindanao has to continue, he said in an interview at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio before he formally assumed the top Army post.

Bautista is also concurrent commander of the Joint Task Force Marawi and the 1st Infantry Division. His successors have not been named. His appointment as new Army chief was announced only last Wednesday.

Bautista said martial law is needed even during the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

“Yes, (it’s) very important because there were reports they will infiltrate the controlled areas… (That’s) part of their diversionary tactic, sow terror in peaceful municipalities and replicate the Marawi siege,” said Bautista, without naming the municipalities.

President Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao hours after the Maute Group attacked Marawi City on May 23. The conflict is ongoing and has so far resulted in the death of 765 Maute members, 155 soldiers and policemen, and 47 civilians.

Duterte in July sought – and got -- Congress’ approval to extend martial law up to the end of the year. He said then the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups are planning to launch attacks in Basilan province and in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Zamboanga.

Bautista said martial law is a big help to the Armed Forces in going after terrorist forces. “Imagine, we can accost and question suspected terrorists (without warrant). If there is no martial law, we’ll be charged,” he said.

He also said he wants to continue leading the operations against the Maute in Marawi even as Army chief.

An Army chief does not have operational control over forces on the ground, although he has administrative supervision over them.

“That depends on the chief of staff (AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año) if he is going to allow me to return there (in Marawi), which is what I really want. I want to return there and finish (the fight),” he said.

Incidentally, Año has said he sees the conflict ending before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on October 26.

The military is hoping to end the fighting in one to two weeks. About 40-50 Maute men remain in the city.

Bautista said the military has received reports about the death of Abu Sayyaf senior leader Isnilon Hapilon who was among those who planned and is leading the Marawi battle, “but again that’s subject to validation.”

President Duterte, during the change of ceremony, directed the Armed Forces to review of military policies and procedures on addressing terrorism and urban warfare.

He reiterated he expects the operations in Marawi to end soon but acknowledged the challenges that confronted the government forces.

Duterte said he is not even surprised that the operations to rid Marawi of terrorists continue to drag on, saying the Maute are very familiar with the area.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/maute-planning-attacks-other-areas-army-chief